Join us at the Recital Hall as we open our 2026–2027 season with returning favorites Invoke! Described as “...not anything but everything: Classical, Folk, Bluegrass, Americana and a sound yet to be termed seamlessly merged into a perfect one” (David Srebnik, SiriusXM Classical Producer), the multi-instrumental quartet encompasses traditions from across America, including bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz, and minimalism.
Trio Azura is quickly emerging as one of today’s most promising young ensembles, characterized by “intelligence and imagination” and “profound emotion” (Gramophone). In a program anchored by Ravel and Mendelssohn’s cornerstone Piano Trios, Trio Azura invites audiences to explore the world of the piano trio across eras, from the Romantic and Impressionist traditions to the contemporary voice of Jennifer Higdon.
In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Rasa String Quartet presents a musical patchwork quilt, weaving together the cultural traditions that have shaped the nation’s identity. Spanning jazz, bluegrass, Latin pop, Indigenous traditions, global folk music, and classical favorites, the program captures the vibrant creative spirit of American music.
Tracing the evolution of the beloved sonata form, cellist Sterling Elliott and pianist Elliot Wuu bring together works by Ravel, Strauss, and Rachmaninoff. Sterling Elliott, a 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence honoree, has been described by The Millbrook Independent as “a star cellist who has risen beyond hopeful promise.” He is joined by pianist Elliot Wuu, a 2018 Gilmore Young Artist and Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant winner.
Rubén Rengel, Gabriel Chakarji, and Juan Diego Villalobos come together for an evening celebrating the music of Latin America, from their native Venezuela to the vibrant traditions displayed throughout the region. As versatile performers, the Trio brings to life cherished works alongside original compositions, highlighting both the traditions that shape Latin American music and the performers' unique voice.
From Bach and Stravinsky to Bartók, Vivaldi, and Piazzolla, accordionist Radu Ratoi and violinist Alexandra Tirsu bring together music shaped by dance, folklore, and virtuosity. As winner of the 2024 Young Concert Artists “Susan Wadsworth” International Auditions, Ratoi established himself as a pioneer in expanding the accordion’s repertoire. He is joined by internationally acclaimed violinist Alexandra Tirsu, a prizewinner of the 2021 ARD Competition who performs on the 1717 “Reifenberg” Stradivari.
Closing the Chamber Series season, violinist Njioma Chinyere Grevious brings her “superb” (Chicago Classical Review) artistry to the Recital Hall for a program featuring Bach, Brahms, Mozart, and more. A Juilliard graduate and founding member of the Abeo Quartet, Grevious appears regularly as a soloist and chamber musician at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and the Concertgebouw, and performs with orchestras such as the Chicago Philharmonic and Sphinx Virtuosi.
